Eamonn Holmes honoured by Queens

Popular national television presenter Eamonn Holmes has today been honoured by Queen's University in Belfast.

The Belfast-born TV personality was awarded an honorary Doctorate for services to broadcasting, at a graduation ceremony earlier today.

Best known for hosting ITV's breakfast show GMTV, which he left in May last year, becoming the longest-running host of a breakfast news programme in the UK, Eamonn Holmes became the youngest-ever anchorman in the ITV regions when, at the age of 21, when he fronted the hour-long UTV news programme, Good Evening Ulster.

He recently joined Sky News to present the ‘Sunrise’ programme.

As well as having success on a national basis, he continues to present a number of programmes for BBC Northern Ireland and also promotes local charities, including the fundraising campaign in support of the Grand Opera House Trust’s new development, ACT II.

Delivering the citation, Queen’s Pro-Vice-Chancellor Professor Gerry McCormac said: “Being himself is always what Eamonn Holmes has done best, and he has done it with humour, energy, intelligence and flair. He is fearless and has always accepted that the way forward in both life and his career requires vision, perseverance and self belief.

“Although he’s now a celebrity he has never forgotten his roots. He has never forgotten his family, friends or indeed any of us who live here in Northern Ireland. He uses his influence to promote this small but wonderful part of the world. Eamonn is a unique and remarkable man and this University today recognises his contribution and achievements.”

(EF/SP)